Each of the sources used below will generate a MARC record for a variety of sources. These give you a great head start on cataloging for an item -- BUT, and there is a big BUT -- the records are almost always incomplete (certainly for second-level cataloging) and very often the capitalization is wrong. Still, for quick and dirty cataloging they are a great place to start and for our purposes the records each of these sites generates the records are a great way for you to compare the records created and to figure out just how good they are.
Web2MARC Generator
"The Web2Marc Generator is a simple tool that generates MARC or MODS records for websites. This tool is useful for librarians who are interested in adding web resources to their library catalogs." http://dl2sl.org/
Amazon Amazon to MARC converter and IMDBb to MARC converter allows you to get a MARC record for titles sold by Amazon or videos indexed by the Internet Movie Database. As with all records like this, you will need to check the record for accuracy against the item you are wanting to add to your local catalog.
LibraryThing
Once you have set up a LibraryThing account you can export the books in your library as MARC records. The records will need to be viewed carefully to make sure that the information corresponds to the item you are cataloging for your own collection but it does give you a head start. More information here: http://www.librarything.com/blogs/thingology/2011/04/export-your-library-as-marc-records/
Managing Classroom Libraries
Although I have mixed feelings about classroom libraries, as a librarian you may be asked by teachers if you have any suggestions for maintaining a classroom library. This article came up because of a posting to LM_NET: "Maintaining Your Classroom Library" on the Web site The Teacher Garden. You might find it interesting http://theteachergarden.blogspot.com/2012/05/maintaining-your-classroom-library.html
SHORT-CUT CATALOGING
Each of the sources used below will generate a MARC record for a variety of sources. These give you a great head start on cataloging for an item -- BUT, and there is a big BUT -- the records are almost always incomplete (certainly for second-level cataloging) and very often the capitalization is wrong. Still, for quick and dirty cataloging they are a great place to start and for our purposes the records each of these sites generates the records are a great way for you to compare the records created and to figure out just how good they are.Web2MARC Generator
"The Web2Marc Generator is a simple tool that generates MARC or MODS records for websites. This tool is useful for librarians who are interested in adding web resources to their library catalogs." http://dl2sl.org/
Amazon
Amazon to MARC converter and IMDBb to MARC converter allows you to get a MARC record for titles sold by Amazon or videos indexed by the Internet Movie Database. As with all records like this, you will need to check the record for accuracy against the item you are wanting to add to your local catalog.
LibraryThing
Once you have set up a LibraryThing account you can export the books in your library as MARC records. The records will need to be viewed carefully to make sure that the information corresponds to the item you are cataloging for your own collection but it does give you a head start. More information here: http://www.librarything.com/blogs/thingology/2011/04/export-your-library-as-marc-records/
Managing Classroom Libraries
Although I have mixed feelings about classroom libraries, as a librarian you may be asked by teachers if you have any suggestions for maintaining a classroom library. This article came up because of a posting to LM_NET: "Maintaining Your Classroom Library" on the Web site The Teacher Garden. You might find it interesting http://theteachergarden.blogspot.com/2012/05/maintaining-your-classroom-library.html